A mum who has been admitted to Derriford Hospital has praised the care she has received saying nurses and doctors are giving “110 per cent”.

Last week The Herald reported how in Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust’s July board papers which showed that staffing on respiratory wards Hexworthy, Honeyford and half of Meldon used to have a core number of nine doctors, which has since been reduced to six to care for the same number of patients.

But for Jade Cotten, who has an undiagnosed chronic lung condition, she feels "less reluctant" to come to hospital knowing that she will end up on Hexworthy ward where the “amazing” staff have become more like friends.

As of July, Derriford Hospital had 462 doctors and dentists in training and 71 trust grade doctors - but were needing to fill 101 vacant junior doctors posts - compared with 58 vacancies six months ago

Despite the staffing pressures on the hospital as well as nationally, Jade says her nine days on the ward have been made as comfortable as possible with nurses going “above and beyond” to help patients get better.

Jade, 28, said: “I’ve been in hospital a lot over the last few years, when I come in initially it is to A&E then to the medical assessment unit, but for the last few years things [in the hospital] have been gradually getting better.

“I’ve been in Hexworthy a lot, and I’ve been here for nine days this time. The staff here are literally amazing.

Jade Cotten with son Eli (Image: John Allen)

“At one point I couldn’t brush my hair so a nurse came to help me rather than going on a toilet break. They come in with little treats and one day they brought in a birthday cake for one of the patients and shared it around. They really do give 110 per cent. They are our councillors, teachers, carers and friends all in one.

“If I’m coming back to hospital, I know I’m most likely coming back to Hexworthy. I come back knowing I’m safe in here.”

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The Keyham resident who works as an administrator for an architects group continued: “If the nurses get busy say at a lunchtime when people are eating and more people are being brought in, they’ll come around first and make sure every patient has access to a call button.

Jade is due to be discharged from Hexworthy today [20/9] but will most probably be re-admitted in the future due to her condition – she added that she is now less worried about going into hospital as she knows she'll be well looked after on the ward.